Flexible transfer tube assembly for a bag filling system

ABSTRACT

A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source is provided. The filling system includes a bag filler having a movable head and a flexible transfer tube assembly. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes an extendable tube, a first end of the extendable tube being adapted to connect to a discharge opening of the bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tube being connected to the movable head. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes a plurality of guide members positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/600,695, filed Aug. 11, 2004, which is incorporatedby reference as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to filling equipment for loading materialsuch as powdered or granular material into bulk bags. More particularly,the present invention relates to a flexible transfer tube assembly forconnection between a movable head bulk bag filler and a source forpowdered or granular material being loaded into the bulk bags.

A bulk bag filler which is useful for the practice of the presentinvention is described in applicants' prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/098,277, filed Apr. 4, 2005, which is incorporated by referenceas if fully set forth herein. The bulk bag filler described inapplication Ser. No. 11/098,277 requires a flexible transfer tubebetween a stationary filling source and a vertically movable bulk bagfilling head. The filling head preferably has a range of motion of about6 ft (1.8 m), and may accommodate various sizes of bulk bags (flexibleintermediate bulk containers or FIBCs) and filling materials. However,the range of motion can be varied depending on the particularapplication and bag size. A typical flexible transfer tube, such as abellows, especially relatively long flexible transfer tubes, may fail toextend or retract in a linear fashion during vertical translation of thebulk bag filling head. The transfer tube may bulge outwardly and dangleas the tube is compressed, presenting a potential obstruction to the bagfilling operation.

It would be desirable to provide a flexible transfer tube assembly for abulk bag discharger which expands and retracts freely without bulgingand dangling, thereby ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted fillingoperation.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a bag filling system for connection to abulk material source. The filling system includes a bag filler having amovable head and a flexible transfer tube assembly. The flexibletransfer tube assembly includes an extendable tube, with a first end ofthe extendable tube being adapted to connect to the material source, anda second end of the extendable tube being connected to the movable head.The flexible transfer tube assembly includes a plurality of guidemembers positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide memberhaving a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube anda second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or themoveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube sothat the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally lineararrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The foregoing Summary as well as the following detailed description willbe readily understood in conjunction with the appended drawings whichillustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bulk bag filling system including aflexible transfer tube assembly according to a first preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible transfer tube assemblyof FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flexible transfer tube assembly ofFIG. 1 in a retracted position.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a bulk bag filling system including aflexible transfer tube assembly according to a second preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible transfer tube assemblyof FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a bulk bag filling system including aflexible transfer tube assembly according to a third preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the bulk bag filling system ofFIG. 6 showing a guide member connected to a bottom flange.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the bulk bag filling systemof FIG. 6 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bulk bag filling system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a spout guide head of the bulk bagfilling system of FIG. 6 partially broken away.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the spout guide head of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the spout guide head of FIG. 10taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting a method for filling a bulk bagaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front”, “back”,“top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to whichreference is made. This terminology includes the words specificallynoted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one ormore of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “atleast one” followed by a list of two or more items (such as A, B, or C)means any individual one of A, B or C as well as any combinationthereof. Where it is indicated that two or more elements are“connected”, it is meant that those elements may be directly attached toone another, or alternatively, one or more intermediary elements may bedisposed between or among the elements in forming the connection.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described belowwith reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent likeelements throughout.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bulk bag filling system 10 in accordancewith the present invention is shown. The system 10 is connectable to astationary discharge opening 12 from a source of material to be loadedinto the bulk bags. The system includes a flexible transfer tubeassembly 20 connected to a bulk bag filler 40. The stationary dischargeopening 12 is located at a discharge point from a hopper for granular orpowdered material, or may be an end point of a conveyor which moves suchmaterials. When the system 10 is connected to the opening 12, powderedor granular materials can be transferred from the material sourcethrough the flexible transfer tube assembly 20 and the bulk bag filler40 into a bulk bag 48.

The bulk bag filler 40 includes a frame 42, having two generallyvertically extending posts 44 mounted on a base 46. A bag supportcarriage 50 is movably connected to the posts 44 and is able totranslate up and down along the posts 44. A bag fill head assembly 60 isconnected to the bag support carriage 50 to receive a bulk bag 48. Abulk material fill tube 62 is connected to the bag fill head assembly 60to receive materials for filling the bulk bag 48. A bulk bag fillerincluding these components is described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/098,277 which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein. It is apparent to one skilled in the art that the flexibletransfer tube assembly 20 described in detail below would be compatiblewith various types of bulk bag fillers having a vertically movable head.The invention therefore is not limited to the configuration of the bulkbag filler 40 as described herein.

During operation, granular or powdered material is transferred from thematerial source to the fill tube 62 through the flexible transfer tubeassembly 20. The flexible transfer tube assembly 20 includes alongitudinally extendable tube, preferably in the form of corrugatedtube or bellows 22 capable of expanding and retracting with the verticaltranslation of the bag fill head assembly 60. Preferably, the bellows 22are molded accordion-type bellows formed from a polymer material such aspolyurethane, PVC, nylon, or fiberglass. The bellows 22 also preferablyinclude a reinforcement member such as a convoluted wire. A first endand a second end of the bellows 22 are preferably attached to a topflange 24 and a bottom flange 26 respectively, using hose clamps 25, 27,as shown in FIG. 3, or other known attachment devices to form asubstantially air-tight passageway for a flow of material.Alternatively, the bellows 22 may be attached to other suitableconnection elements such as threaded connectors or other non-flangedconnectors. Preferably the top flange 24 is connectable with a matingflange 14 at the discharge opening 12. The top flange 24 is preferablybolted to the mating flange 14; however, any other suitable attachmentmethod may be used. Preferably, the bottom flange 26 is connected to amaterial control valve 28 which, in turn, is connected to the fill tube62. Alternatively, the bottom flange 26 may be directly attached to thefill tube 62 using bolts or any suitable attachment device.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 (FIG. 2 shows only the flexible transfertube assembly 20 for clarity), lugs 30 are attached to the top flange 24to support guide members 32. The guide members 32 may be formed of anysuitable material that can be extended and retracted generally linearly.The guide members 32 can be ribbons or straps located on a retractablespool assembly or can be spooled-type constant force springs, as shown.Alternatively, coiled extension springs or other suitable retractingmembers may also be used. The guide members 32 preferably rotate about apivot 34 on a spool 38, and an end of each guide member 32 is attachedto the bottom flange 26 on a securement plate 36. When the bag fill headassembly 60 is raised and lowered, the guide members 32 wind or unwindforming a support structure around the bellows 22 preventing theopportunity for outward movement. Preferably, four guide members areprovided and form a quadrilateral support. Accordingly, the guidemembers 32 guide the bellows 22 through its entire compression-extensioncycle constraining the bellows 22 to a generally linear motion,inhibiting bulging or dangling. Although four guide members 22 areshown, any suitable number of guide members may be provided as isrequired to constrain a particular type of bellows. Preferably, at leastthree guide members are provided.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, preferably the spools 38 are attached tothe lugs 30, arranged as a clevis, with a removable the center pin 34that is held in place with a removable clip 35. This allows for ease ofreplacement and/or repair of the guide members 32, as necessary.Additionally, the second end of the guide members 32 are preferably alsoattached to pins 37 that extend from the securement plates 36 usingremovable clips 39, as shown. However, a single clip, bolt or any othersuitable type of fastener or connection could be utilized at either end,if desired.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 (FIG. 5 shows only the flexible transfer tubeassembly 120 for clarity), a bulk bag filling system 110 according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bagfilling system 110 includes a flexible transfer tube assembly 120 havingonly three guide members 132 spaced evenly around a top flange 124. Inthis case, three guide members 132 are sufficient to prevent the bellows122 from bulging outwardly in a horizontal direction.

Referring to FIGS. 6-12 a bulk bag filling system 210 according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Thesystem 210 is connectable to a stationary discharge opening from asource of material to be loaded into a bulk bag. The system 210 includesa bulk bag filler 240 connected to a flexible transfer tube assembly 220for connection to a discharge opening.

The bulk bag filler 240 includes a frame 242, having two generallyvertically extending posts 244 mounted on a base 246. A bag supportcarriage 250 is movably connected to the posts 244 and is able totranslate along the posts 244. A bag fill head assembly 260 is connectedto the bag support carriage 250 to receive a bulk bag. Preferably, acontrol valve 228 with a bulk material fill tube 262 is connected to thebag fill head assembly 260 to receive materials for filling the bulkbag. A top frame 270 is connected to an end of the posts 244, and aspout guide head 276 is preferably rigidly connected to the top frame270. Preferably, the spout guide head 276 includes an inlet tube 278 forremovable connection to a discharge opening of a bulk material source.Optionally, the top frame 270 can be adjustably connected to the posts244 to permit vertical, horizontal, and/or angular adjustment, allowingthe system 210 to be connected to bulk material sources located atvarious positions. Also optionally, the posts 244 and/or the base 246can permit vertical horizontal, and/or angular adjustment. The flexibletransfer tube assembly 220 is preferably connected between the spoutguide head 276 and the control valve 228.

During operation, the system 210 is positioned under the opening from abulk material source, and the inlet tube 278 is preferably sealablyconnected to the discharge opening of the material source. Granular orpowdered material is transferred from the material source through theinlet tube 278, and into the flexible transfer tube assembly 220, andthen through the fill tube 262, and finally into a bulk bag.

The flexible transfer tube assembly 220 includes a longitudinallyextendable tube, preferably in the form of corrugated tube or bellows222 capable of expanding and retracting with the vertical translation ofthe bag fill head assembly 260, similar to the tube or bellows 22described above. A first end of the bellows 222 is preferably attachedto a bottom portion of the inlet tube 278, and a second end of thebellows 222 is preferably attached to a bottom flange 226 which isconnected to an inlet to the control valve 228. In the case where acontrol valve is not used, the bottom flange 226 can be connecteddirectly to the fill tube 262. Clamps such as hose clamp 227 arepreferably used to secure the bellows 222 to the inlet tube 278 and thebottom flange 226, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, other knownattachment devices can replace the hose clamps 227 to form asubstantially air-tight passageway for a flow of material.

Referring now also to FIGS. 10-12, the spout guide head 276 is shown ingreater detail. Lugs 230 are attached to a top plate 224 to supportthree guide members 232. The guide members 232 may be formed of anysuitable material that can be extended and retracted generally linearly.The guide members 232 can be ribbons or straps located on a retractablespool assembly or can be spooled-type constant force springs, as shown.Alternatively, coiled extension springs or other suitable retractingmembers may also be used. The guide members 232 preferably rotate abouta pivot 234 on a spool 238, and an end of each guide member 232 isattached to the bottom flange 226 on a securement plate 236. When thebag fill head assembly 260 is raised and lowered, the guide members 232wind or unwind forming a trilateral support structure around the bellows222 preventing the opportunity for outward movement. Accordingly, theguide members 232 guide the bellows 222 through its entirecompression-extension cycle constraining the bellows 222 to a generallylinear motion, inhibiting bulging or dangling.

As shown in detail in FIG. 12, preferably the spools 238 are attached tothe lugs 230, arranged as a clevis, with a removable the center pin 234.This allows for ease of replacement and/or repair of the guide members232, as necessary. Additionally, the second end of the guide members 232are preferably also attached to pins 237 that extend from the securementplates 236.

Since during use the inlet tube 278 is preferably sealably connected toa discharge opening, air may become trapped in the bellows 222 when thecontrol valve 228 and the discharge opening are closed. Preferably, avent tube 280 is provided connected to the inlet tube 278 to allow airtrapped in the bellows 222 to escape when the bag fill head 260 israised and the bellows 222 are retracted. A filter 282 is preferablyprovided over the vent tube 280 to prevent material trapped in thebellow 222 from being discharged into the air.

Preferably a housing 284 is provided around the spout guide head 276 sothat the spools 238 are not exposed during operation in order to preventinjury to a user and to contain the guide member 232 and spool 238 inthe event of breakage.

Referring to FIG. 13, a method 300 for filling a bulk bag according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention is provided. The methodincludes providing a bag filling system with a movable fill head and aflexible transfer tube assembly including an extendable tube and aplurality of guide members (step 302). A bag is further provided (step304). The movable fill head is positioned in a first position forconnecting the bag to the fill head (step 306), and the bag is connectedto the fill head (step 308). Subsequently, the movable fill head ispositioned in a second position for transferring the material to the bag(step 310). Material from a material discharge opening above the fillhead is transferred through a path defined by the extendable tube,through the fill head, and into the bag (step 312). The path of theextendable tube is constrained using the plurality of guide membersarranged outside of the extendable tube (314). Preferably, theextendable tube is extended or retracted during positioning of the fillhead, and the extendable tube is vented using a filtered vent.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described indetail above, the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed, which should be considered as merely exemplary. Furthermodifications and extensions of the present invention may be developed,and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source, thefilling system comprising: a bag filler including a movable head; and aflexible transfer tube assembly comprising: an extendable tube, a firstend of the extendable tube adapted to connect to a discharge opening ofthe bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tubeconnected to the movable head; and a plurality of guide memberspositioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having afirst end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a secondend connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveablehead in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that theguide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangementas the moveable head is raised or lowered.
 2. The bag filling system ofclaim 1, the bag filler further comprising a fill tube connected to themovable head in communication with the second end of the extendable tubefor receiving material therefrom.
 3. The bag filling system of claim 1,the bag filler further comprising a spout guide head connected to thefirst end of the extendable tube and the first end of the guide members,the spout guide head including an inlet tube for connection to thematerial source.
 4. The bag filling system of claim 1, the bag fillerfurther comprising: a base; at least one vertically extending postconnected to the base; a top frame adjustably connected to the at leastone post spaced from the base; and the movable head is slideablyconnected to the at least one post between the top frame and the base,and the first end of the extendable tube and the first end of the guidemembers are connected to the top frame.
 5. The bag filling system ofclaim 1, the extendable tube comprising accordion-type bellows capableof expanding and retracting with raising and lowering of the movablehead.
 6. The bag filling system of claim 1, the flexible transfer tubeassembly further comprising a flange connected to the first end of theextendable tube for connection to the discharge opening of the materialsource, and each of the guide members is connected to the flange at thefirst ends of the guide members.
 7. The bag filling system of claim 1,the bag filler further comprising a material control valve having aninput end connected to the second end of the flexible transfer tubeassembly.
 8. The bag filling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofguide members comprise at least three spooled-type constant forcesprings.
 9. The bag filling system of claim 1, further comprising a ventconnected to the flexible transfer tube assembly for releasing airtrapped in the expandable tube.
 10. The bag filling system of claim 9,further comprising a filter connected to the vent.
 11. A flexibletransfer tube assembly comprising: an extendable tube; and a pluralityof extendable guide members, a first end of each of the guide membersbeing connected to a first end of the extendable tube, and a second endof each of the guide members being connected to a second end of theextendable tube.
 12. The flexible transfer tube assembly of claim 11,further comprising a first connector connected to a first end of theextendable tube and a second connector connected to the second end ofthe extendable tube, wherein the first end of each of the guide membersis attached to the first connector, and the second end of each of theguide members is attached to the second connector.
 13. The flexibletransfer tube assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of the firstand second connectors is a flange.
 14. A bag filling system comprising:a frame with at least one vertically extending post; a fill headslideably connected to the at least one vertically extending post; aspout guide head, adapted to connect to a discharge opening of amaterial source, connected to the at least one vertically extendingpost; an extendable tube connected to the spout guide head at a firstend of the extendable tube, and connected to the fill head at a secondend of the extendable tube; and a plurality of guide members positionedoutside of the extendable tube, a first end of each of the plurality ofguide members connected to the spout guide head, and a second end ofeach of the plurality of guide members connected to the fill head. 15.The bag filling system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of guidemembers include a plurality of springs.
 16. The bag filling system ofclaim 14, further comprising a filtered vent in communication with theextendable tube connected to the spout guide head.
 17. The bag fillingsystem of claim 14, wherein the spout guide head is at least verticallyadjustable relative to the at least one vertically extending post.
 18. Amethod for filling a bag, the method comprising: providing a bag fillingsystem with a movable fill head and a flexible transfer tube assemblyincluding an extendable tube and a plurality of guide members; providinga bag; positioning the fill head in a first position for connecting thebag to the fill head; connecting the bag to the fill head; positioningthe fill head in a second position for transferring material to the bag;transferring material from a material discharge opening above the fillhead, through a path defined by the extendable tube, through the fillhead, and into the bag; and constraining the path of the extendable tubeusing the plurality of guide members arranged outside of the extendabletube.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising venting theextendable tube using a filtered vent in communication with theextendable tube.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the positioning ofthe fill head in the first and second positions comprises at least oneof extending and retracting the extendable tube and at least one ofextending and retracting the plurality of guide members.